What should I look for in a solar installer’s experience?

Choose a solar installer with a proven and established track record. If you are searching for a solar installer near me, ensure they can provide references from previous home solar installation projects to demonstrate their experience.

Should a solar installer have qualified electricians?

Yes. Ensure the installer employs or subcontracts qualified electricians. Ask for proof of registration, such as a valid wireman’s licence, and verify its authenticity.

Why is a home visit important before installing solar?

A home visit allows the installer to assess your property and provide a simulation or feasibility study. This includes estimating annual electricity production and recommending the correct system size, including solar panels, inverter, and batteries, based on your household consumption.

How do I know if a solar installer has the right technical expertise?

A qualified installer should demonstrate strong technical knowledge and be able to design a system that meets your electricity needs. They should also advise on optimal panel placement to maximise sunlight exposure throughout the day.

Do solar installers need to understand local regulations in South Africa?

Yes. In South Africa, installers must understand municipal regulations and Eskom requirements for residential solar installations, including approvals and compliance processes for home solar installation.

What post-installation services should a solar installer offer?

Look for installers that provide after-sales support and maintenance contracts. They should clearly define service level agreements, including response times and ongoing system support.

What warranties or guarantees should be included with a solar installation?

A reputable installer should provide warranties and guarantees for both the installation work and system components, including solar panels, inverter, batteries, and mounting structures. These should align with manufacturer warranties.

What is a PV GreenCard and is it important?

A PV GreenCard is a certification that promotes safe and high-quality solar PV installations in South Africa. While optional, choosing an installer with PV GreenCard certification can provide added assurance of compliance and quality standards.

How to choose a solar installer

Look out for the following when you choose your solar installer:

Experience and references
- Do they have a proven and established track record and experience?
- They should be able to provide references of previous projects and installations.
Qualified staff
- Do they employ or subcontract qualified electricians?
- Ask for proof of registration from the electrician (also called a wireman’s licence) and validate.
Home visits
- The installer should be able to produce a simulation or feasibility study, of the electricity production estimate for the system for a year with average weather, based on a physical site visit and advise on the size of your components (solar panels, inverter and batteries) to meet your household consumption.
Technical expertise
- Are they able to demonstrate their technical capabilities and know-how, on how to install a solution that meets your electricity requirements? For example, are they able to advise on the best position for your solar panels to obtain maximum exposure to the sun during the day?
Rules and regulations
- Do they understand the municipal and Eskom’s by-laws and process for installations in households?
Post-installation service
- Do they have an after-sales service or offer maintenance contracts?
- If so, what are the service level agreements?
Warranties/Guarantees
- Do they provide necessary warranties and guarantees both for the installation and for the various equipment/components of the system (solar panels, inverter, battery and the structure of the system)?
- Compare these with that of the manufacturer’s warranties and guarantees.
Optional: PV GreenCard certification
- Do they have a PV GreenCard certificate? A PV GreenCard is a certification that has been developed to promote safe and high-quality solar PV installations.